How would you describe spiritual assistance to someone who is not a Secular Franciscan? I have to answer this even for a lot of the friars that I try to recruit to serve. To help someone understand quickly, we have to be nearly complete, very concise, and entirely correct. Think of a priest you know who has never served as a spiritual assistant – what would you say to try to recruit him?
What does it mean to be a child of God? It means relating to God, to ourselves, and to others in a deeply sacred manner. It is a mature identity we assume when we become utterly convinced that we are sons or daughters of God the Father through adoption in Jesus Christ. We reach this new identity when we accept that we were created by God the Father, he loves us passionately, knows us intimately, and will provide for us in every circumstance.
Multicultural relationships involve partners from different cultural backgrounds and can present challenges and opportunities. Effective communication is very important, as language barriers and different cultural expressions can complicate relations. ... Multicultural relationships are justice issues that seek the good of the other person(s). As Franciscans, we are known for our dedication to justice. We strive to bring people together in a society that is fair (or just). Each person needs to feel welcomed to create a diverse OFS community.
The word “encounter” is a buzz word lately, and rightly so. Don’t we all crave community? The presence of others? A real and honest connection between ourselves and the world? We can’t build relationships from a distance.
Our relationship with the International Fraternity, CIOFS, begins with all of us being brothers and sisters of Secular Franciscans around the world. I recall former National Minster, Tom Bello, OFS, telling us that we are members of four fraternities: the local, Regional, National and International Fraternities. We are connected to all Franciscans around the world.
Initial formation is the first step in a lifelong journey of learning, growing and discerning our vocations. ... Ongoing formation provides continuous opportunities for conversion and transformation as we strive to live our Rule. Good formation changes us and challenges us to question how we're doing on that journey. It gives us opportunities to reflect on our lives, the choices we make, the interactions that we have, and if we truly are living life to gospel and gospel to life. Formation supports us to continue growing in our vocation as we study the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare, the OFS Rule, and the gospels.
The Essential Documents of the Secular Franciscan Order (2005) is no longer in print. The Index in this document has been recently updated and has been added to the Home page on the OFS-USA website along with the OFS-USA Governing Documents that are contained within The Essential Documents of the Secular Franciscan Order.
Recently, a dog bit me. At our initial encounter, he seemed friendly but as he was passing me, he turned around to bite my leg. Not a nip – a real bite! I did nothing to provoke it. But who really knows … the dog didn’t give me a reason for the action. That experience made me ponder our relationships, especially with our enemies. Although we don’t always recognize them at first, people who can harm us do exist.
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2025 Issue #115)
In this issue, five of the 30 regions are highlighted.
The Los Tres Compañeros Region covers the central swath of Texas from the southern tip in the south to Dallas and […]
A JPIC apostolate for Secular Franciscans, essential and unique to our order, is our ministry to our families. ... Our families are not just biological or relational connections. In Lumen Gentium, Family is described as “the domestic church” (LG, 11) because we share common beliefs, purpose, and life, in a family. “…[It] has been a treasure for the Church….